Riassunto dello studio

Eighty-two patients undergoing ambulatory lumbar spine surgery were randomized to receive either 1000 mg intravenous acetaminophen (n=42) or 1000 mg oral acetaminophen (n=40). The primary outcome of interest was 24-hour opioid consumption in intravenous morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs). Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain ratings, PACU opioid use, Quality of Recovery (QoR-15) scores, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and length of stay in the PACU. Outcomes were assessed up to 24 hours after surgery. Overall, the results of the study revealed no statistically significant differences between the groups in any primary or secondary outcomes, including 24-hour MMEs or QoR-15 scores. These findings suggest that intravenous acetaminophen offers no clinical advantage over the oral form in this setting, despite its higher cost.